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1890s Men's and Women's Bicycles- What are these?

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    Posted 5 years ago

    SweetViolet
    (20 items)

    Hello everybody, I am a bicycle enthusiast, and I have some questions about these antique bicycles I have. These bicycles are a matched pair, men's and women's, built in the late 1890s, judging from the design. They have been together all this time, untouched for 120 years. They are from Northwestern South Carolina, specifically from around the Anderson, South Carolina area it is reckoned. They are definitely a matched pair, probably bought new at the same time and place by some couple back in the day. I was told that later on, probably in the 1920s or 30s when the bikes were older and used, these two were used by some carnival or circus performers as "trick" or "stunt" bikes for some time before being stored away in a barn somewhere. They have quite distinct braze joints on the head tubes and forks, as seen in the images. Wooden 28 inch wheels. All original parts including seats {the women's seat is padded with horse hair}, seat posts, cranks, handle bars and necks. The men's bike has a New Departure Duplex/Corbin Coaster Brake Hub, one of the really early model ones. They're really light too, probably only 10 pounds a piece or less. Both have screw holes in the frames, where one could mount optional wooden fenders and whatnot if they had chosen to order them. Unfortunately, both have lost their head badges over the years, so I can't really identify them personally. I fully intend to restore these bicycles, and get them both into full working condition again. I was really hoping that someone who is knowledgeable in these early bicycles might could help me in perhaps identifying them, and then maybe someday I can find some proper badges for them, or at least try to. Any information is welcome and appreciated! Thank you for your help, and have a nice day!

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    Comments

    1. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 5 years ago
      What a find. I really appreciate it that you are restoring them. Even if for profit, they are saved for posterity.
    2. SweetViolet SweetViolet, 5 years ago
      Thank you! I am excited about restoring them. I just think it would be so neat, to be able to fix up a vehicle that is so old, and have it like new, in a condition that you can just hop right up on it and ride it around town, just like that. I see so many people these days, that find these nice antique, complete bicycles and things, and then just part them out, in order to try and get more money. Although it is nice to have parts available, I figure it happens just too often, and for the wrong reasons, especially when something really truly nice is taken, and done that way for convenience and money. Thanks for reading!
    3. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 5 years ago
      I like your attitude too. Thanks.

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